EA044798B1 - MINI PUMP DAMPENERS COMBINED WITH A SYSTEM PULSATION DAMPER - Google Patents

Description

Field of technology

In general, the present invention relates to the operation of systems for reciprocating fluid movement, and more particularly to one or more products and/or devices for controlling pulsations upstream and downstream of fluid flow aggregation systems, for example after consolidation of multiple fluid flows.

State of the art

Pulsation control in fluid transfer systems is constantly in need of improvement. Desirable improvements include reducing pulsation amplitudes from pumps to the downstream system and increasing flexibility in integrating pulsation dampers with other elements of the overall pumping system, along with optimizing pulsation damping performance and efficient use of available space in the pumping system area.

The essence of the invention

The multi-flow fluid supply system includes a system surge damper connected before or after consolidation of multiple fluid flows to a piping network supplied by multiple pumps, along with mini-dampers at the outlet of at least one of the pumps. Each of the system and mini surge damping device(s) may be provided with a specified volume of fluid to damp the fluid pressure pulses without requiring maintenance. Each of the system pulsation dampening devices and mini-damping devices is sized so that the total pressure damping characteristics, including any additional dampers available, are consistent with the characteristics of the specific pumping network.

Before considering the detailed description below, it may be useful to clarify the definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this invention. The terms include and contains, and their derivatives, mean inclusion without limitation; the term or is inclusive, meaning and/or, and the phrases associated with and associated with it, as well as derivatives from them, can mean contain, be included in, connect with, accommodate, enter into, connect with, associate with, communicating with , interact with, alternate, be placed next to, near, be associated with, have, have a property, etc. With regard to the definitions of certain words and phrases presented throughout this invention, one skilled in the art will understand that in many cases, if not most cases, such definitions are used in the prior art, and the use of such certain words is also intended and phrases in the future.

Brief description of drawings

In order to more fully understand the present invention and its advantages, reference will now be made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a drilling system including a surge damper mounted between an injection manifold and a riser, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic view of a portion of a system for fluid delivery, drilling, or both, which includes a plurality of mud pumps, according to various embodiments of the present invention, which can be used in embodiments of a drilling system that includes a system surge damper. installed between the discharge manifold and the riser, as shown in FIG. 1;

fig. 3 is a schematic view of a portion of a system for fluid delivery, drilling, or both, including a combination of an injection manifold and a surge damper in one system device, the injection manifold system damper according to various embodiments of the present invention, which may also be used in embodiments of a drilling system; which includes a system surge suppressor installed between the mud pump(s) and the riser as shown in FIG. 1;

fig. 4 is an illustration of one combination of a discharge manifold and a system surge damper in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic view of a drilling system including another surge dampening mechanism that may be installed in, adjacent to, or downstream of a riser, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 6A-6E are enlarged schematic views of various designs of system pulsation dampening device(s) implementing the ripple damping portion(s) of the diaphragm assembly of FIG. 6, used as a system ripple dampening device(s);

fig. 7 is a schematic view of another redundant design of system pulsation dampening device(s) that may be installed in, adjacent to, or downstream of a riser, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention for implementing portion(s) of the ripple dampening diaphragm assembly of FIG. . 5;

fig. 8 is a schematic view of a fluid delivery system or drilling system including fittings,

- 1 044798 multiple fluid flow combining, according to various embodiments of the present invention, which can also be used in embodiments of a drilling system that includes a system pulsation damper installed after the multiple fluid flow combining fittings;

fig. 9 is a high-level flowchart of a fluid supply and pulsation damping process in a fluid supply system according to various embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 10A-10C - types of gas-filled pulsation damper;

fig. 11A, 11B are views of components of a commercially available filler-free pulsation damper;

fig. 12A, 12B are cutaway views and schematic views, respectively, of a maintenance-free reactive system pulsation damper according to embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 13 is a view illustrating the placement of a system ripple damper according to embodiments of the present invention; and fig. 14A-14D are views of a piping network in which a system pulsation damper and two mini outlet pulsation dampers are installed, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed description

Fig. 1-14D are discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this invention are presented for illustration purposes only and should in no way be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the principles of the present disclosure can be implemented in any suitably configured discharge manifold damper or system damper that can be used to control or partially control pulsation amplitudes.

Reciprocating systems, such as reciprocating pumping systems and similar equipment, function in various types of cyclic hydraulic systems. For example, reciprocating mud pumping systems are used on a drilling rig to circulate drilling mud or drilling fluid. Pressure peaks in the pumped fluid increase with each pulsation, deterioration of the pump, fluid pump consumables, and equipment downstream of the pump, such as the measurement equipment used to determine drilling parameters, and the swivel mud pipe and mud pipe packing. Failure to regulate such pressure peaks will inevitably impact the performance and life of the pump, fluid pump consumables, and all upstream and downstream components. In addition, pressure peaks can interfere with signal detection by instruments, so that misalignment of pressure peaks can also affect signal detection and/or the quality of signal detection in (for example) drilling measurements.

Pulsation control equipment is typically placed directly upstream or downstream of the reciprocating pump, often having a relative size and configuration corresponding to the target volume moved per pump stroke and the maximum allocated amplitude of pressure peaks to which the pumping system may be subjected. during each pulsation. By doing so, pulsation control equipment helps reduce pump load and minimize the impact of pulsation amplitudes on the pump, pump fluid consumables, and upstream and downstream equipment. As a result, pulsation control equipment improves the performance and life of the pump, fluid pump consumables, and any equipment upstream or downstream of the pump.

However, pulsations can also occur further downstream of the mud pumps as the fluid moves through the pipeline to its intended location. These pulsations may increase when it becomes necessary to direct fluid down different paths or when multiple streams of fluid must be combined and directed into a single stream. In most systems, these downstream pulsations are not taken into account. These downstream pulsations can cause damage to downstream components and increased noise in downstream instruments and sensors.

As used herein, the term system pulsation damper refers to the pulsation damper installed between the discharge manifold and the riser, shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the combination of the discharge manifold and pulsation damping device shown in FIG. 3, the pulse damper manifold shown in FIG. 4, the pulsation dampening device(s) with a diaphragm assembly shown in FIG. 5, 6 and 7, and a system pulsation control damper located after the point where discharges from multiple pumps are consolidated into a single stream, shown in FIG. 8 and 13.

In fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a drilling system 100 including a surge damper 102,

- 2 044798 installed between the injection manifold 104 and the riser 106, according to various embodiments of the present invention. An embodiment of the drilling system 100 is shown in FIG. 1 is for illustration purposes only. Fig. 1 does not limit the scope of this invention to any particular implementation of a drilling system.

Now regarding FIG. 1, the drilling system 100 includes at least one surge damper 102, at least one injection manifold 104, at least one riser 106, at least one mud pump 108, and at least one drilling fluid reservoir 110. fluid and at least one flow line 112, a surge damper 113 conventionally located at the outlet of the drilling fluid pump 108, and at least one drilling rig 114. The drilling system 100 performs the operation of pumping drilling fluid or other fluids down into the hole being drilled. at this point, the well to protect the drill bit 128 from overheating, ensure lubrication of the drill bit and move cuttings to the surface.

A fluid pump or mud pump 108 may pump fluid or mud from the mud tank 110 through a flow line 112 toward the drilling rig 114. The drilling system 100 may use multiple mud pumps 108 to continue drilling in the event of a failure. one pump 108 for drilling fluid. In addition, a pulsation damper 102 may be installed in the flow line 112 of each mud pump 108 to further reduce pulsations. In addition, the drilling fluid reservoir 110 may be referred to as a fluid reservoir, wherein the fluid reservoir stores fluid used during the drilling process.

Typically, the surge damper 113 is located along the flow line 112 at the outlet of the mud pump 108 and upstream of the injection manifold 104. The injection manifold 104 may be located below the flow line 112 and attached and/or coupled to the drilling rig 114 to transfer fluid. The injection manifold 104 can receive a variety of different fluid flows from a variety of mud pumps 108. In such a case, the injection manifold 104 may combine all fluid flows to direct one fluid flow upward to the riser 106. Other functions traditionally performed by the injection manifold are to provide an auxiliary connection for an additional pump, and in systems with multiple risers having operational redundancy, switching fluid flow paths from one riser to another in the event of damage to one riser. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that some systems dispense with the injection manifold and simply combine the output streams of multiple mud pumps into one line near or downstream of the mud pumps, and then move the combined flow along one line. to the base and up to the riser.

When fluid flows from multiple mud pumps are combined (with or without a pressure manifold), pulsations in the resulting combined fluid flow may increase due to the varying pulsations generated by the mud pumps 108 being used. For example, one drilling system 100 may use different types and sizes of mud pumps 108 that create variations or pulsations in fluid flow along the pipe. In addition, the mud pumps 108 may be located at different distances from the injection manifold 104. The mud pumps 108 may start at different times, have a different off-cycle than other mud pumps 108, or they can simply work with different piston stroke lengths. Any of the previously mentioned operating parameters affect the flow of fluids or drilling fluid into the injection manifold 104, resulting in pulsations in the wellbore.

The riser 106 may be mounted on the drilling rig 114 and extend upward on the drilling rig 114 to allow fluid to flow through a rotary hose 116 connected to a swivel 118, the swivel 118 being connected to a rotary hook 120. The riser 106 receives an outlet from a discharge manifold that includes includes a system pulsation damper 102. The injection manifold 104 may include multiple outlets to the riser 106 in the event of damage to a portion of the injection manifold 104 or associated piping.

The swivel 118 may function as a bypass for fluid flow into the kelly liner 122 (or more specifically into the kelly). The kelly 122 is connected to the drill string 124. The fluid passes through the kelly 122 and the drill string 124, down the wellbore 126 to a drill bit 128 located at the distal end of the drill string 124. The kelly 122 is typically driven by a rotary table 130. More Modern systems may include a top drive to rotate the drill string 124 as an alternative to a rotary table and liner to rotate the kelly, and the present invention may also be used in such top drive configurations.

In drilling systems, pulsation dampers 113 can be installed near mud pumps 108 to reduce pump loads and minimize pulsation amplitudes from

- 3 044798 pumps 108 for drilling mud. However, when fluid is combined in injection manifold 104 into a single stream and directed to riser 106, significant energy and pulsation amplitudes can be created by combining flows from mud pumps 108 or by moving flow directly to riser 106, which then moves to the rest of the system. located downstream described in the invention. The amplitudes of the generated pulsations can be greater as more mud pumps 108 are used to ensure fluid reaches the injection manifold 104, as pulsations from multiple pipes receiving fluid from the multiple mud pumps 108 combine and accumulate in the injection manifold, and then they are carried into the riser 106. These pulsations can cause wear and damage to components, including connections near the swivel 118, the drive pipe 122, and other components such as the swivel solution pipe, which functions as a conduit for fluid flowing through the swivel 118, and packing (seals) for the mortar pipe (both not shown). Instruments used to monitor and measure drilling operating parameters may also be damaged by residual pulsations from the mud pump 108. Even the slightest pulsation from the discharge manifold can distort the measurement values.

Therefore, an additional system pulsation damper 102 is installed between the injection manifold 104 and the riser 106 to reduce residual pulsations from the mud pump 108 and to reduce pulsations resulting from the pooling of fluid flows in the injection manifold 104. The system pulsation damper 102 reduces pulsations and is similar to a conventional The pulsation damper 113 and any other system pulsation damping device(s) described in the invention can create a drop in internal or external pressure in the passing fluid to further reduce high frequency pulsations and improve overall damping performance. In some embodiments, the system pulsation damper 102 may be a gas-filled damper. Like a conventional pulsation damper 113 and any other system pulsation dampening device(s) described in the invention, the system pulsation damper 102 may be a hydropneumatic or gas-filled high-pressure reservoir containing compressed air or nitrogen and a chamber (or membrane box) that separates the process fluid from gas filling. Like the conventional pulsation damper 113 and any other system pulsation dampening device(s) described in the invention, in some embodiments the system pulsation damper 102 may be a spherical or cylindrical flow damper. In some embodiments, reactive dampers may be used that rely on the compressibility of the process fluid contained in the damper shell and a resistive device matched to or integrated with the pulsation damper to dampen pump pulsations.

The system pulsation damper 102 may be connected to the discharge manifold 104 via a connecting hose. System surge suppressor 102 may have a flanged outlet connection, and a quick connect adapter flange may be used to connect surge suppressor 102 to discharge manifold 104. Additionally, system surge suppressor 102 may be coupled to riser 106 via a connecting hose.

The system pulsation damper 102, located in front of the riser 106, reduces the amplitudes of both low-frequency and high-frequency pulsations, allowing the swivel grout pipe and packing, as well as other components, to last longer. In addition, the system pulsation damper 102 reduces noise and pulsation levels, making signals easier to detect by the operator on the rig 114 performing measurements while drilling (MWD) and logging while drilling (LWD). In addition, the system pulsation damper 102 helps reduce downhole tool interference, which can pick up residual pulsations that impair detection and distort downhole tool data.

In fig. 2 is a schematic view of a portion 200 of a system for fluid delivery, drilling, or both, including a plurality of mud pumps 208, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, which may be used in embodiments of the drilling system 100 shown in FIG. 1, including a system pulsation damper 102 installed between the discharge manifold 104 and the riser 106. That is, excluding replacement of components from fig. 1 by their counterparts shown in FIG. 2, the rest of the drilling system of the embodiments of FIG. 2 can be coordinated with additional structures shown in FIG. 1. An embodiment of a drilling system portion 200 is shown in FIG. 2 is for illustration purposes only. Fig. 2 does not limit the scope of this invention to any particular implementation of a drilling system.

Regarding FIG. 2, the drilling and/or fluid delivery system portion 200 for supplying fluid, drilling, or both includes at least one system surge damper 202, at least one injection manifold 204, at least one riser 206 and a plurality of mud pumps 208. Components of the drilling system portion 200 may be used

- 4 044798 instead of similar components of the drilling system 100 shown in FIG. 1.

A system pulsation damper 202 is installed between the injection manifold 204 and the riser 206. A plurality of drilling fluid pumps 208 can simultaneously move fluid into the injection manifold 204, creating vibrations in the injection manifold 204. The pulsation damper 202 can be installed in a similar manner to that described in the invention, corresponding to the method installation of a pulsation damper 102 to reduce the pulsations generated by the plurality of mud pumps 208 as fluid streams enter, intersect, and combine into a single output stream at the injection manifold 204.

In fig. 3 is a schematic view of a portion 300 of a system for fluid delivery, drilling, or both, including a combination injection manifold and surge damper device 302, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, which may also be used in embodiments of a drilling system 100 that includes itself is a pulsation damper 102 installed between the mud pump(s) and the riser, as shown in FIG. 1. That is excluding replacement of components from fig. 1 by their counterparts shown in FIG. 3, the rest of the drilling system of the embodiments of FIG. 3 can be coordinated with additional structures shown in FIG. 1. An embodiment of a drilling system portion 300 is shown in FIG. 3 is for illustration purposes only. Fig. 3 does not limit the scope of this invention to any particular implementation of a drilling system.

Now regarding FIG. 3, the drilling and/or fluid delivery system portion 300 includes at least one combination injection manifold and surge damper device 302, a plurality of mud pumps 304, and at least one riser 306.

Injection manifolds can increase the pulsations experienced by the drilling system due to the fact that injection manifolds typically have connections or piping that receives fluid from multiple directions from various mud pumps. Injection manifolds often have angular bends through which each fluid stream must pass before the injection manifold combines the individual streams into a single stream. As fluid enters the manifold and moves along bends in the discharge manifold, additional vibrations can be generated.

A combination pressure manifold and pulsation damper device 302 may be used in place of the pressure manifold. Instead of combining separate fluid streams into a single stream, in the case of tight bends, the fluids can be placed in the housing of the combined injection manifold and surge damper device 302, where they can be manipulated. Pulsation dampers often have a volume of space, or reservoir, in the damper in which some fluid can accumulate and the pulsations can be reduced before moving out of the pulsation damper. The combined injection manifold and surge damper device 302 can receive individual fluid streams from a plurality of mud pumps 304. The pressure manifold and pulsation damper combination device 302 may have a conduit installed on the outer surface of the pressure manifold and pulsation damper combining device 302. In the case of a spherical type or a cylindrical type pulsation dampener, the piping may be mounted at a selected location on a spherical or cylindrical pulsation damper body. Fluid received at the pressure manifold/pulse damper combination device 302 may be deposited in the interior volume of the pressure manifold/pulse damper combination device 302, and fluid present in the interior volume of the pressure manifold/pulse damper combination device 302 will exit the pressure manifold/pulse damper combination device 302. pulsation damper device 302 to move into riser 306. Combining a discharge manifold and pulsation damper device 302, various receiving fluids can be combined to control pulsations to reduce them in combination with, for example, rotation of the fluids in the chamber.

Since the combination pressure manifold and pulsation damper device 302 includes an internal volume, problems associated with the use of the pressure manifold can be eliminated. The discharge manifold/pulsation damper combination device 302 eliminates the kinks associated with a pressure manifold, thereby reducing vibrations generated when individual fluid flows intersect, and the pressure manifold/pulsation damper combination device 302 provides pulsation damping effects when receiving individual fluid streams. . Therefore, individual fluid streams may be combined within the volume of the pressure manifold/pulse damper combination device 302 and then one combined stream may be released from the pressure manifold/pulse damper combination device 302 to move into the riser 306, with reduced or minimal energy being transferred to the riser 306 and into other downstream components.

In fig. 4 illustrates a pressure manifold/pulsation damper combination device 400 according to various embodiments of the present invention, which may be used in embodiments of a drilling system 100 that includes a surge damper 102 mounted between the mud pump(s) and the riser, as this shown in Fig. 1-3, or in

- 5 044798 embodiments of the drilling system 100, which includes a surge damper 302 located after fittings combining multiple fluid flows, as shown in FIG. 8.

An embodiment of a combined pressure manifold and surge damper device 400 is shown in FIG. 4 is for illustration purposes only. Fig. 4 does not limit the scope of this invention to any particular implementation of a ripple damper or method for damping pulsations.

Now regarding FIG. 4, the combination discharge manifold and pulsation damper device 400 can be used in the systems 100, 200 and 300 described in the invention. The ripple damper manifold includes a housing 402. The housing 402 shown in FIG. 4 is a spherical or cylindrical body corresponding to various pulse absorbers having a spherical or cylindrical body. However, it is possible to use a body having other shapes to have different shapes of the ripple damper body, such as those shown in FIG. 1-3.

In addition, the surge damper manifold 400 may include a reservoir 404 in the interior of the housing 402. The reservoir 404 may collect a volume of fluid 406 from upstream mud or fluid pumps passing through a plurality of upstream connections 408 in a fluid delivery system or to a drilling system, such as the systems described with respect to FIGS. 1-3. The fluid received from the upstream connections 408 is combined into a fluid volume 406. At least a portion of the fluid volume 406 can then exit the surge damper manifold 400 as a single fluid stream through the downstream connection 410. Thus, combining the discharge manifold and the pulsation damper device 400 can completely replace the discharge manifold, reducing vibrations generated by multiple fluid streams passing through the discharge manifold and providing pulsation dampening for all flows entering the combined pressure manifold and pulsation damper device 400.

In fig. 5 is a schematic view of a drilling system including alternative system surge damper mechanism(s) that may be installed in, adjacent to, or downstream of the riser, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. An embodiment of drilling systems 500 is shown in FIG. 5 is for illustration purposes only. Fig. 5 does not limit the scope of this invention to any particular implementation of a drilling system. Although in FIG. 5 does not show a conventional surge suppressor located at the outlet of the mud pump(s), or a system surge suppressor between the injection manifold and the riser, those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more system surge suppressors not schematically shown in FIG. 5 can be used without such conventional pulsation dampers, or both such conventional and system pulsation dampers can be used.

In the system of FIG. 5, pulsation damping is provided or enhanced by several different types of diaphragm structures located at one location or multiple locations in or near the riser 506, or in the fluid flow path downstream of the riser. One or more diaphragm assemblies 502a, 502b, 502c, 502d, ..., 502n, each of which includes system pulsation damping device(s), may be located at various locations along the fluid flow path. The pulsation dampening diaphragm assembly may be located in the inlet pipe or connected to the inlet pipe of the top drive or swivel (depending on what is used in the rig), as illustrated by the diaphragm assembly 502a. The pulsation dampening diaphragm assembly may be located between the hose 516 and the end of the top drive or swivel inlet pipe, as illustrated by the diaphragm assembly 502b. The pulsation dampening diaphragm assembly may be located immediately after the riser 506, between the end of the riser 506 and the beginning of a hose 516 that connects the riser 506 to the top drive or swivel (depending on what is used on the rig), as illustrated by the diaphragm assembly 502c. Alternatively, the pulsation dampening diaphragm assembly may be located further along the hose/pipe system, as illustrated by diaphragm assembly 502d. In yet another case, the pulsation dampening diaphragm assembly may be located in the derrick side riser 506, possibly at or near one end of the riser 506 (although it may be located anywhere along the length of the riser 506), as this illustrated by diaphragm assembly 502n. A single pulsation-damping diaphragm assembly may be used, or multiple pulsation-damping diaphragm assemblies may be used at various locations along the fluid flow path, including one of the locations shown in FIG. 5, or multiple pulsation dampening diaphragm assemblies may be used in the top drive or swivel inlet pipe (in the area of the diaphragm assembly 502a), between the hose and the top drive or swivel inlet pipe (in the area of the diaphragm assembly 502b), between the riser 506 and the hose 516 ( in the area of the diaphragm assembly 502c), multiple pulsation-damping diaphragm assemblies in the hose 516 (in the area of the diaphragm assembly 502d), and/or multiple pulsation-damping diaphragm assemblies in the riser 506 (in the area of the diaphragm assembly 502n). Those skilled in the art will recognize that varying amounts and locations of pulsation damping diaphragm assemblies may be suitable for different applications. In addition, the pulsation-damping diaphragm assemblies can be located at other locations than those shown in FIG. 5, such as the end (outlet) of the riser or at the connection with the swivel or top drive in the case of a hose connected to the riser. As noted above, each pulsation damping diaphragm assembly can create an internal or external pressure drop in the passing fluid to enhance high frequency pulsation damping. These diaphragm assemblies may or may not include fluid volumes to further improve performance.

In one preferred embodiment, the system pulsation damper eliminates the need to replenish the gas-filled pulsation damper or replace the compression material in commercially available filler-free pulsation dampers. In system 500, gas-filled pulsation damper 501 has at least a housing 1001 and a cover 1002 and is shown in FIG. 10A-10C. It is noteworthy that gas-filled pulsation dampers are typically located above the conduit through which the pumped fluid passes when using a cross, although this path for the system pulsation damper 501 in FIG. 5 not shown. A cross section of a gas-filled pulsation damper is shown in FIG. 10A-10C. As shown in FIG. 10A, the gas-filled pulsation damper 1000 includes a housing body 1001 having an upper opening covered by a cover 1002, which together define an internal cavity 1003 connected to the pump system fluid conduit (not shown) through a lower opening 1004. A flexible inner chamber 1005 in the internal cavity 1003 is filled with compressible gas. Fluid from the attached conduit enters and/or leaves the cavity 1003 through the lower opening 1004. The pressure of this fluid and the pressure of the compressible gas in the chamber 1005 causes the lower surface of the chamber 1005, which is in contact with the fluid of the pumping system, to shear and the volume occupied by the gas in chamber 1005, changes. The high pressure of the pumped fluid causes the chamber 1005 and the gas therein to be strongly compressed to a smaller volume, while in the medium pressure range or from high pressure to low pressure the chamber and the gas therein are caused to expand to a larger volume, and at low pressure the chamber 1005 and the gas therein will expand greatly to the maximum volume allowed by the internal cavity 1003 of the housing body 1001 and the cover 1002. Therefore, the compressed gas in the chamber 1005 absorbs pressure pulses in the pump fluid and reduces the peak pressure that may occur. However, compressed gas should be refilled periodically (for example, monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, or semiannually). Regarding FIG. 5, instead of replenishing chamber 1005, chamber 1005 is simply removed. One or more system pulsation dampers are installed at this location(s) in the manner discussed above, eliminating the need for gas-filled pulsation damper 501 and its additional maintenance. In many, if not most, cases, ripple damping performance can be improved by such a replacement.

Alternatively, at least one housing 1001 of a commercially available filler-free pulsation dampener 501 of the type shown in FIG. 11A and 11B. Again, unfilled surge dampers are typically positioned above the flow line of the pumped fluid, although this path for system surge damper 501 in FIG. 5 not shown. Filler-free pulsation dampers are often not as effective at reducing pressure pulsations as gas-filled pulsation dampers. The components of commercially available filler-free pulsation dampeners are shown in FIG. 11A and 11B. In the ripple damper shown in FIG. 11A and 11B, the gas-filled chamber is not used. As shown in FIG. 11A, the filler-free surge damper includes a housing 1100. The housing has a removable top portion with inlets and outlets for fluid passage into and out of the housing. Cell 1101, shown (twice) in FIG. 11B is suspended in the housing and has a top projection that is sealed against the interior of housing 1100. Cage 1101 includes an open top portion with openings through the side wall and a bottom surface thereof (resulting in forming a “cage” or basket). Cage 1101 holds compression material 1102 located within the cage. The compression material shown in this example contains a multi-layer system of compression disks, each of which is segmented into four quarter wedges. As fluid enters the pulsation damper housing 1100 and passes through the open top and/or openings in the side wall and bottom surface of the cage 1101, the fluid is distributed throughout the compression material, with the pumping system applying pressure to various surfaces of the compression material. , which encourages the material working in compression to compress under the influence of pressure and thereby weaken pressure surges.

However, the pulsation damper of FIG. 11A and 11B are maintenance free. After some time in operation (e.g., after 12 months), the compression material 1102 may become clogged and/or distorted by the drilling fluid and typically requires replacement due to loss of elasticity and/or accumulation of solids in the surge damper, necessitating shutdown. pumping system. In addition, the compression material(s) are typically manufactured and selected to operate within a precisely defined or predetermined pressure range. Changes in the system's rated operating pressure, whether intentional or due to changing operating conditions, may

- 7 044798 it will be necessary to replace the compression material and also to stop the pumping system. Regarding FIG. 5, when maintenance of the commercially available filler-free pulsation damper 501 becomes necessary, instead of replacing the compression material 1102, the seal can be replaced with a gasket and the compression material 1102 (and optionally the cage 1101 as well) simply removed. One or more truly maintenance-free system pulsation dampers are installed in the field in the manner discussed above, eliminating the need for and subsequent maintenance of a commercially available filler-free pulsation damper 501. In many, if not most, cases, the performance of the pulsation damper can be improved by this replacement.

In fig. 6A-6E are side sectional views and cross sections of ripple dampening diaphragm assemblies 502x, which may be used as any one of the diaphragm assemblies 502a, 502b, 502c, 502d and/or 502n to implement one or more system ripple dampening devices. As shown in FIG. 6A, one exemplary pulsation dampening diaphragm assembly 502x includes a slightly larger volume that can be created by (for example) inserting a length of pipe 622 having a larger internal diameter (by only 1-2 inches). .08 cm) larger) than the pipe has for the fluid flow path before or after the pulsation-damping diaphragm assembly. At the end of the enlarged volume is an element that creates resistance to fluid flow or pressure drop, such as a diaphragm or pressure tube. In the example shown in FIG. 6A and 6B, a diaphragm 624 or 626 is provided (see FIG. 6E). However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a pressure tube may be used instead. In accordance with the prior art, the total area of the openings of the diaphragm 624 or 626 is selected in combination with the increased volume to dampen pulsations in the fluid flow through the riser 506 and hose 516. As shown in FIG. 6C, a diaphragm 624 or 626 may be located at the opposite end (relative to the direction of fluid flow) of the enlarged volume formed by pipe section 622. Alternatively, the diaphragm 624 or 626 may be located in the middle of the enlarged volume or somewhere in the middle. Numerous diaphragms can be located in one enlarged volume. As shown in FIG. 6D, the simple form pulsation damping diaphragm assembly 502x includes only a diaphragm 624 or 626 that does not provide any resistance to fluid flow created by an adjacent or surrounding enlarged volume in the fluid flow path. As shown in FIG. 6D, the diaphragm 624 may have multiple openings. As shown in FIG. 6E, the ripple dampening diaphragm assembly 502x may include a single hole diaphragm 626. As noted above, diaphragm assemblies may or may not include fluid volumes to further improve performance. In fig. 6A and 6C show an extended portion 622 that may contain a volume of liquid.

In fig. 7 is a schematic view of an alternative redundant design for system pulsation dampening device(s) that may be installed in, adjacent to, or downstream of a riser, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, to implement part(s) of the pulsation dampening diaphragm assembly from Fig. 5. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the pulsation damping diaphragm assembly 502x includes a first assembly 701 and a second assembly 702, each of which includes an enlarged volume and a diaphragm that are located on two parallel fluid flow paths along with control valves 703, 704, 705 and 706 (manually operated or automatically) used for control on two flow paths. This design provides redundancy in the event of failure of the pulsation damping diaphragm assembly and can therefore be used as a low flow device in some high flow applications.

In fig. 8 is a schematic view of a fluid delivery system or drilling system 800 including fittings integrating multiple fluid flows, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, which may also be used in embodiments of the drilling system 100 that includes a surge damper 102 located downstream of the fittings. , combining numerous fluid flows. An embodiment of the drilling system 800 is shown in FIG. 8 is for illustration purposes only. Fig. 8 does not limit the scope of this invention to any particular embodiment of the drilling system.

An injection manifold is not always in the path of fluid flow into the rig. On some drilling rigs, fluid streams supplied by different mud pumps are introduced together from simple fittings that combine multiple fluid streams into a single stream. Now regarding FIG. 8, the drilling system 800 includes at least one fitting 802 and/or 804, a plurality of mud pumps 304, and a conduit 806 receiving combined fluid flows.

A system pulsation damper 102, 202, 302, 402, or 502x (system pulsation damper 302 is shown in FIG. 6) may be used in conduit 806 after fittings 802 and/or 804. Pulsation dampers, such as a system pulsation damper 102, 202 , 302, 402

- 8 044798 or 502x, often have a volume of space, or reservoir, within the damper in which a certain amount of fluid can accumulate and the pulsations are reduced before the fluid moves out of the pulsation damper. System pulsation damping device 102, 202, 302, 402 or 502x may receive combined fluid flows from the supply of mud pumps. The fluid received by the system pulsation damper device 102, 202, 302, 402, or 502x may be deposited in the internal volume of the pulsation damper 102 or 202, the discharge manifold and pulsation damper combination device 302, the pulsation damper manifold 400, or the pulsation damper device(s). 502x with diaphragm assembly. The fluid contained within the system surge dampening device volume exits the system surge dampening device to travel to the drilling rig 114 via conduit 806. The system surge dampening device may regulate the pulsations to reduce them in combination with, for example, creating rotation in the chamber.

Since the system pulsation dampening device includes an internal volume, problems associated with the use of a discharge manifold can be eliminated. The system pulsation damping device does not have the bends associated with a discharge manifold, thereby reducing the vibrations generated when the individual flows intersect, and the system pulsation dampening device also produces a pulsation dampening effect when it receives the combined fluid streams. Therefore, the combined fluid streams can exit the system surge damper to move toward the drilling rig 114 with reduced or minimal energy transferred to the remaining downstream components.

In fig. 9 is a flowchart of the fluid supply and pulsation damping process 900 in the fluid supply system 100 or 500 according to various embodiments of the present invention. For example, process 900 of FIG. 9 may be implemented by the system 100 shown in FIG. 1, or the system 500 shown in FIG. 5, or through these systems modified in accordance with FIG. 2, 3 or 4 (without corresponding manifold steps).

Now regarding FIG. 9, the process begins at step 902. At step 902, one or more pumps receive fluid from one or more fluid reservoirs, such as the drilling fluid reservoir 110 described in the invention. At step 904, one or more fluid pumps direct one or more fluid streams downstream through the fluid delivery system. At step 906, the manifold receives one or more fluid streams and combines the one or more fluid streams into a single fluid stream. At step 908, the surge damper receives one fluid stream from the manifold.

At step 910, the installed system pulsation damper dampens the residual ripple generated by the manifold. In some embodiments, the system surge damper may perform damping operations where one or more flows are received by the surge damper as if the surge damper were a combination pressure manifold and surge damper device replacing the pressure manifold in the fluid delivery system. At step 912, the pipeline receives fluid withdrawn from the system surge damper. In some embodiments, the conduit may be a riser, such as riser 106. At step 914, fluid moves downstream through the conduit. At step 916, one or more additional system pulsation dampers installed dampen any residual pulsations in the fluid flow.

In fig. 12A and 12B are a cutaway view and a schematic view, respectively, of a maintenance-free reactive system pulsation damper according to embodiments of the present invention. Only wear-resistant and simple components are used in small quantities, allowing for easy repairs and long-term operation without adjustment. Gas filling (ie chamber and valves/sensors) or the use of compression materials is eliminated, so maintenance is minimal (eg periodic inspection) and cap removal is not required. The maintenance-free reactive system damper 1200 has no moving parts and uses the pumped fluid to dampen pulsations. High amplitude pump pulsation fluid 1201 is received through the inlet and low amplitude pump pulsation fluid 1202 is released through the outlet, with fluid 1203 in the housing reactively dampening the pump pulsation, i.e. the pumped medium reacts with the system fluid mass to reduce pulsations. An optional, removable differential pressure control assembly 1204 may help reduce pump fluid pressure pulsations.

In fig. 13 illustrates an installation with a system pulsation damper in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In the example shown, each of two three-cylinder pumps having coupled outlets includes a suction stabilizer 1301 coupled to the inlet and a gas-filled (or unfilled) pulsation damper 1302 at the outlet. In such configurations, space and support are key and inflow/outflow into/out of the pipeline is required. If such optionally installed gas units 1301, 1302 are used, the pump skid and piping must be modified and space is required in the pump compartment. The space and expense of meeting such requirements can be eliminated by using a single, suitably installed system ripple damper 501.

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To upgrade the system from FIG. 13, all gas cartridges located in the reservoirs of the suction stabilizer 1301 are removed and (optionally) replaced with a more efficient mesh tube for unfilled operation. Likewise, all gas-filled chambers in the optionally installed gas dampers 1302 are removed and it is possible to fill the reservoirs with fluid during operation to provide initial damping control (also without replacing the piping). Alternatively, diaphragms or similar devices may be installed in the fluid flow path downstream of the reservoirs of existing optionally installed gas suppressors 1302. A separate reactive system surge suppressor 501 is added to the pump system flow line connected when using a simple connection when using high pressure outlet connectors to remove slow pulsations. The size of the system pulsation damper 501 is determined based on an analysis of the overall structure, the location of the damper downstream of the pumps, and the legacy damping equipment. It is preferable to locate the system pulsation damper 501 where pressure pulsations accumulate (for example, in the network flow after the discharges of individual pumps are combined), and preferably as close as possible to the pump(s).

In fig. 14A-14D illustrate a piping network according to embodiments in which a system pulsation dampener and two or more mini-pulsation dampeners are installed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14A, part of the pumping system 1400 includes at least two pumps 1401 and 1402, each pumping fluid, and optionally additional pumps (not shown). Pumping system 1400 may be described as a mini-pumping system in which fluid streams from pumps 1401 and 1402 combine at some point downstream of at least one of the two pumps to form a single fluid stream in a pipeline, other pumps, or functional components. for fluid handling (eg, in a filter or discharge manifold) and/or pulsation dampers, as opposed to pumping units that only accumulate individual fluid streams from multiple pumps in a storage tank or the like.

According to the embodiment described in conjunction with FIG. 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B and 13, a system pulsation dampener and two or more outlet mini-pulsation dampers (mini-dampers) can be used as an option to retrofit a pumping system that has existing additional pulsation dampers requiring regular or sporadic maintenance service. As an option, pumps 1401 and 1402 may be provided at their outlets with short-term pulsation dampers 1403 and 1404, respectively, usually of the type that are used additionally and are not tied to the through flow of fluid. The pulsation dampers 1403 and 1404 are non-permanent in the sense that periodic or sporadic maintenance of each is required over the full life of the pumping system 1400 in which the pumps 1401 and 1402 are installed. Those. The maintenance-free duty cycle of the intermittent dampers 1403 and 1404 is shorter than the expected operating life of the pumping system 1400. For example, gas-filled pulsation dampers must be periodically refilled, while filler-free pulsation dampers with compressive material must be replaced sporadically or periodically a material subject to compression due to the accumulation of solid particles, deformation and/or deterioration of elasticity (and therefore deterioration of pulsation damping characteristics). As described above, the pumping system 1400 can be retrofitted by simply removing portions of the short-lived surge dampeners 1403 and 1404 (chambers in a gas-filled surge damper or compressive material in an unfilled structure) and leaving the surge damper reservoir (body or housing) filled with liquid. The construction of a model of fluid behavior in the pumping system 1400 can be performed taking into account modified short-term pulsation dampers 1403 and 1404.

More generally, and regardless of the need to retrofit a pumping system that includes existing pulsation dampers, the pulsation damping performance of a multi-pump pump system 1400 can be improved by using a system pulsation damper 1405 (which may be located outside the pump skid) and a variety of mini-pulsation dampers. pulsation dampers 1406 and 1407. As shown in FIG. 14A, a mini damper 1406 is connected between the outlet of pump 1401 and the main pipe 1408, while a mini damper 1407 is connected between the outlet of the pump 1407 and the main pipe 1408. Alternatively, the main pipe 1408 may receive fluid output from other pumps (not shown). Through the main pipe 1408, the fluid is supplied to the system pulsation damper 1405. The fluid flow 1410 from the outlet of the system surge damper 1405 may flow into the riser as described above. Pumps 1401 and 1402 receive fluid flows from separate inlet pipes 1411 and 1412, respectively.

In fig. 14B shows the installation embodiment of FIG. 14A shows a portion of a multi-pump pumping system 1420 that includes a plurality of pumps 1401 and 1402, each pumping fluid. The fundamental difference between fig. 14A and 14B is that the system ripple damper 1425 of FIG. 14V (mainly corresponding to the system 1405 ripple damper from

- 10 044798 fig. 14A) receives fluid flows from mini-dampers 1426 and 1427 of FIG. 14B (basically corresponding to the mini-dampers 1406 and 1407 of FIG. 14A) from separate main pipes 1428a and 1428b, rather than from a single main pipe 1408 as in FIG. 14A. Like pump system 1400, pump system 1420 according to the embodiment of FIG. 14B may include other pumps (not shown) in addition to pumps 1401 and 1402, along with separate main pipes (also not shown) supplying system surge damper 1425, or together with pump outlets connected to one of the main pipes 1428a or 1428b.

In fig. 14C and 14D illustrate embodiments 1430 and 1440, respectively, of the pump systems 1400 and 1420 of FIGS. 14A and 14B, in which the system pulsation damper 1425 is not included in the pump system 1430 or 1440. Instead, only the mini dampers 1426 and 1427 are used without the system pulsation damper.

The complete design of pumping systems 1400, 1420, 1430 and 1440 is not shown in FIG. 14A-14D. For example, although not shown in FIG. 14A-14D, a suction stabilizer may be coupled to the inlet of one or both pumps 1401 and 1402 and may utilize advanced cellular material technology available from Performance Pulsation Control, Inc. (www.performancepulsation.com/products/vertical-cellular-stabilizer-retrofit and www.performancepulsation.com/products/suction-stabilizers). Alternatively, in a retrofit of the type described above, the gas cartridge or compression cellular material may be removed from the existing suction stabilizers and either replaced with an improved cellular material or discarded. Additionally, a pressure manifold may be coupled between the pumps 1401 and 1402 and the system pulsation damper 1405. Rather than showing and describing the complete design and all possible embodiments, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, only the pump systems 1400, 1420, 1430 and 1440 are shown and described in order to understand the principles of the embodiments presented in FIGS. 14A-14D, together with significant variations.

From the following discussion of one embodiment of the pump systems 1400, 1420, 1430 and 1440, it should be obvious that it is not necessary to necessarily provide each pump 1401 and 1402 with a mini-damper 1406/1426 or 1407/1427. Instead, the present invention contemplates embodiments of a multipump pumping system including a system pulsation damper 1405/1425 and a mini damper 1406/1426 or 1407/1427 coupled to the outlet of at least one of the pumps 1401 and 1402, without the mini - an absorber connected between the outlet of another of the pumps 1401 and 1402, and the main pipe 1408/1428a/1428b.

Preferably, the system surge damper 1405/1425 and the mini dampers 1406/1426 and 1407/1427 are each a reactive damper using the volume and optional flow resistance device described above. For multi-pump systems, a single system pulsation damper 1405/1425 may not provide acceptable damping performance due to the complexity of the piping and the resulting complexity of fluid flow and pulsation variations therein. Additionally, selecting the reservoir size and specific flow resistance devices for the system pulsation damper 1405/1425 in a particular multi-pump application can be a cost-reducing process beyond a certain level. As a result, it is potentially more efficient to develop specific standard reservoir sizes for the system pulsation damper 1405/1425 along with different flow resistance device configurations for each size to allow the size and configuration of the flow resistance device to be selected to approximate the optimal damping performance for a particular application. However, even with a number of solutions resulting from this selection, the desired or acceptable damping performance may not be achieved using a single system 1405/1425 ripple damper. Accordingly, at least one pump, and optionally both pumps 1401 and 1402, are connected to mini-dampers 1406/1426 and 1407/1427.

The 1406/1426 and 1407/1427 dampers are presented as mini (or small, which is equivalent) because they are smaller in size and/or less equipped (eg, in terms of flow resistance device(s)) to provide acceptable pulsation damping for the respective pump. 1401 and 1402. However, the 1406/1426 and 1407/1427 Mini Absorbers, when combined with the 1405/1425 System Absorber, reduce ripple, and the 1405/1425 System Absorber removes all slow ripple. It is not necessary for the ripple damper performance to be perfectly optimized by the combination of the 1405/1425 system ripple damper and the 1406/1425 and 1407/1427 mini dampers. However, the mini damper 1406/1426 and/or the mini damper 1407/1427 improves the ripple damping performance compared to the performance provided by the system ripple damper 1405/1425 alone. Each of the system surge damper 1405/1425 and mini dampers 1406/1425 and 1407/1427 are individually sized and configured, and the overall size and overall configuration is determined from the damping of the amplitude of fluid pressure pulsations in the associated pumping system 1400, 1420, 1430, or 1440 to an acceptable level.

Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments,

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Claims (18)

Various changes and modifications may be suggested by one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present invention cover such changes and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims. CLAIM 1. A fluid supply system comprising at least one fluid pump configured to pump fluid through the fluid supply system; a housing connected to the outlet of at least one fluid pump, wherein the housing is a housing for a gas-filled pulsation damper configured to use a gas-filled chamber for damping fluid pressure pulsations, but without a gas-filled chamber therein, or a housing for one without a pulsation damper filler of the type configured to use an elastomeric compression material for damping fluid pressure pulsations, but without the elastomeric compression material therein; a conduit connected to an outlet of the at least one fluid pump and configured to receive and move fluid pumped by the at least one fluid pump; and one or more pulsation dampers coupled within the pipeline and configured to damp pressure pulsations remaining in the fluid moving through the pipeline. 2. The fluid supply system of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid pump includes at least two pumps, the pipeline comprising at least one main pipe configured to receive fluid pumped by the at least two pumps , combining the pumped fluid and supplying the combined pumped fluid into a single pipe connection, and wherein the one or more pulsation dampers includes at least one mini-damper coupled between the outlet of one of the pumps and the at least one main pipe, wherein at least one At least one mini-absorber is sized and configured to partially eliminate pressure pulsations in the fluid moving through the pipeline. 3. The fluid delivery system of claim 2, wherein the one or more pulsation dampers includes a system pulsation damper, wherein one pipe connection is an inlet to the system pulsation damper, wherein the system pulsation damper is sized and configured to reduce the amplitude of the pressure pulsations at a combined fluid pumped by at least two pumps, and wherein the at least one mini-damper is sized and configured to reduce the amplitude of pressure fluctuations in the fluid moved in the at least one main pipe. 4. The fluid supply system of claim 3, wherein the at least one main pipe is a single main pipe carrying a combined flow from said at least two pumps to a system pulsation damper, wherein the system pulsation damper is a reactive damper using an exerting device flow resistance. 5. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid pump includes at least two fluid pumps, each configured to pump fluid through the fluid delivery system, each pump being connected at its outlet with a housing for a filler-free pulsation damper, and wherein the pipeline comprises at least one main pipe configured to receive fluid pumped by at least two pumps, combine the pumped fluid, and supply the combined pumped fluid to one pipe connection. 6. The fluid delivery system of claim 5, wherein the one or more pulsation dampers includes a system pulsation damper, wherein the at least one main pipe includes a first main pipe carrying flow from a first of the at least two pumps to a system pulsation damper, and a second main pipe carrying flow from the second of the at least two pumps to the system pulsation damper. 7. The fluid delivery system of claim 5, wherein the one or more pulsation dampers includes a first mini-damper coupled between the first of two pumps and the at least one main pipe, and a second mini-damper coupled between the second of the two. pumps and at least one main pipe. 8. The fluid supply system according to claim 1, in which the housing contains a short-term operating pulsation damper that contributes to damping pressure pulsations of the pumped fluid. 9. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more pulsation dampers is a reactive damper using a flow resistance device. - 12 044798 10. A fluid supply method carried out using a system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of connecting at least one fluid pump to pump fluid through the fluid supply system, thereby releasing at least one pump for the fluid, a housing is connected, which is a housing for a gas-filled pulsation damper of the type configured to use a gas-filled chamber for damping fluid pressure pulsations, but without a chamber therein, or a housing for a filler-free pulsation damper of the type configured to use an elastomeric operating to compress the material to dampen fluid pressure pulsations, but without any compression material in it; connecting the conduit to an outlet of the at least one fluid pump to receive and move fluid pumped by the at least one fluid pump; and connecting one or more pulsation dampers within the pipeline, wherein each of the one or more pulsation dampers is configured to damp pressure pulsations remaining in the fluid moving through the pipeline. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one fluid pump includes at least two pumps, the pipeline comprising at least one main pipe configured to receive fluid pumped by the at least two pumps, combining pumped fluid and supplying the combined pumped fluid to one pipe connection, and wherein the one or more pulsation dampeners includes at least one mini damper coupled between the outlet of one of the pumps and the at least one main pipe, wherein the at least one The mini-absorber is sized and configured to partially eliminate pressure pulsations in the fluid moving through the pipeline. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more surge dampeners includes a system surge damper, wherein one pipe connection is an inlet to the system surge damper, wherein the system surge damper is sized and configured to reduce the amplitude of pressure fluctuations in the combined fluid pumped by at least two pumps, and wherein the at least one mini-damper is sized and configured to reduce the amplitude of pressure pulsations in the fluid moved in the at least one main pipe. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one main pipe includes one main pipe carrying a combined flow from the at least two pumps to a system pulsation damper, wherein the system pulsation damper is a reactive damper using a flow resistance devices. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one fluid pump includes at least two fluid pumps, each of which is configured to pump fluid through the fluid supply system, each pump being connected at its outlet to a housing for a filler-free pulsation damper, and wherein the pipeline comprises at least one main pipe configured to receive fluid pumped by at least two pumps, combine the pumped fluid, and supply the combined pumped fluid to one pipe connection. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more pulsation dampeners includes a system pulsation damper, wherein the at least one main pipe includes a first main pipe carrying flow from a first of the at least two pumps to the system damper pulsation, and a second main pipe carrying flow from the second of the at least two pumps to the system pulsation damper. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more pulsation dampers includes a first mini-damper coupled between the first of two pumps and at least one main pipe, and a second mini-damper coupled between the second of the two pumps and at least one main pipe. at least one main pipe. 17. The method according to claim 10, in which the housing contains a short-term operating pulsation damper, which contributes to the damping of pressure pulsations of the pumped fluid. 18. The method of claim 10, wherein each of the one or more pulsation dampers is a reactive damper using a flow resistance device. -